The Boys Showed Character

22nd March 2018

By Nathan Bliss

Wolves Under 23's manager Scott Sellars was pleased to see his side progress to the quarter-finals of the Premier League Cup on Wednesday, after coming from behind to win on penalties against an experienced Exeter City team.

“I’m delighted for the boys, I thought over the 90 mins and extra-time we were the better team and created the better chances, I couldn’t fault the lads at all for their performance,” said Sellars.

“Probably first-half, we had some good chances and situations where we could have done better, just that final pass or the right run into the box at the right time, we could have made the game more comfortable.

“We saw Exeter’s team before the game and it was a very experienced team, a lot of lads with first-team experience, we knew it was going to be tough.

“But I thought the lads got on with it from the start and took responsibility.

“To play in a game like that and to keep going and going and keep creating chances, going one nil down as well. I thought the boys showed a lot of character."

After Wolves midfielder Ming-yang Yang levelled the score with 15 minutes to go, the game was eventually decided by penalties, and Sellars was proud of how his players coped with the pressure of the shootout.

“Penalties are never easy, some of the lads were cramping up, they don’t often play as long as that.

“I thought they showed character to get on with penalties and finish the game.

“We’ve had a few over the last few years to be fair, and we’ve been quite good.

“We always talk about being calm, taking a deep breath, picking a corner and not changing your mind. We did what we had to do."

Sellars also singled out Wolves goalkeeper Jon Flatt for praise, as his two penalty saves in the shoot-out played a key role in deciding the game.

“Flatty (Jon Flatt) did his job as well and made a couple of great saves.

“In every competition with John, we know he’s really good on penalties, so it always gives us a chance."

After advancing to the last-eight of the Premier League Cup, Sellars is glad that his players will get another cup game under their belt, as experience in cup competitions will help the players development.

“Cup competition gives us another game, we always talk about more games at this level.

“I definitely felt there was an edge, a proper cup tie feel to it, so hopefully we get another game like that.”

Wolves Under 23s will face Leicester City Under 23s in the quarter-final of the Premier League Cup, a side who are currently top of Premier League One, Division One.

The tie is scheduled to be played between Friday 6th April and Monday 9th April, with Wolves being the away side.